Let's get started with the basics

For a sketch the most basic element is a line. The first thing you will need to train is your ability to sketch nice, fluent and straight lines.

Here are 10 tips to practice straight lines:

1. A good sketch begins with a good posture - sit up straight

   

2. Adjust your grip - hold your pen further up the shaft

   

3. Draw from your shoulder

   

4. Don't move your fingers

   

5. Rotate your page 10-15 degrees

   

6. Hold your pen perpendicular to the line

   

7. Ghost line first - draw the line in the air first

   

8. Place tiny dots first

   

9. Draw through - extend your lines

   

10. Move faster - experiment to find the right speed

    

EXERCISE A - Sketching straight lines

Use a fineliner (or ballpoint) and fill a series of A4 (or letter) pages with straight lines. First horizontal, then vertical and diagonal. Also practice the use of placing tiny dots first to guide your hand in the right direction.

During practice try to vary the following parameters:

• Speed

• Pen pressure

• Direction

• Length of the lines

EXERCISE B - Rectangular shapes

When you are getting the hang of drawing straight lines you can try to create a series of rectangular box shapes in various dimensions. The challenge is to keep the lines parallel to each other.

Another thing to practice is dividing shapes in equal parts. Using diagonal lines through the corners you can determine the center point of your box shape and add horizontal and vertical division lines.

Use a fineliner (or ballpoint) and fill a series of A4 (or letter) pages with rectangular boxes and add devisions using diagonals.

During practice try to vary the following parameters:

• Speed

• Pen pressure

• Rotation of your page